Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute

The Helmet Update by Email

Volume 18, #2 - April 3, 2000

Helmets for 2000

Helmet lines for 2000 continue last year's trend to fewer new helmet
designs, reflecting flat consumer demand and continued thin profit
margins in the industry.

We noted this year that big vents are still big, adversely impacting
protection. Some of the new models are a little better rounded than
last year, particularly those that eliminate the aero "shelf"
projection in the rear. But squared-off lines still dominate. So far
there have been no radically new materials introduced in the 2000
model year. One company, SportScope, has a new design that uses
chunks of foam linked closely with an embedded mesh, permitting the
chunks move enough to conform somewhat to an unusual head shape. That
may improve the fit for some riders, but if the edges of the chunks
hit your head in the wrong place it can literally be a headache. As
reported in our last email Update, Gina Gallant of Prince George,
B.C., Canada has designed a helmet that uses LED's to inform the
wearer when it is fitted correctly.

All helmets manufactured for the US market after March 10, 1999 must
meet the national CPSC standard, but a few of the older ones are
still on sale at reduced prices.

We recommend looking for a helmet that:

1. Meets the CPSC standard.

2. Fits you

3. Has a rounded, smooth exterior.

4. Has no more vents than you need.

A few of the better ones were identified in the 1999
Consumer Reports helmet article, but most models on the market this
year were not tested for that article.

Maine Passes Law But Tennessee Says No to Extension

Maine became the 16th state with a helmet law during 1999. The Maine
helmet requirement was contained in their Bicycle Safety Education
Act, and covers all riders under 16. The helmet must meet the CPSC
standard. There is no fine associated with non-compliance, but a
police officer can stop an unhelmeted rider and provide them with
bicycle safety information and info on where to get a helmet.
Municipalities are apparently permitted to go beyond the state law,
at least for the education provisions of the act.

AP reported in March that the Tennessee legislature considered and
rejected a change in the state's 1994 helmet law that would have
extended coverage from state-maintained roads to all roads and
sidewalks in Tennessee. The bill would also have increased the age
covered from 12 to 16.

CPSC Forum to Explore Repetitive Impact Injuries

The Consumer Product Safety Commission will hold a public forum on
May 2nd on the subject of repetitive impact head injury. This is a
subject being discussed extensively in the soccer community at
present, where the question of use of protective headgear for soccer
players has arisen following publication of study data indicating
that long-term soccer players may suffer brain injury from repeatedly
heading the ball. We have some info on soccer helmets up on our Web
page covering helmets for various activities other than
bicycling.